4 minute read
A mental warm up with David MacKenzie
A MENTAL GAME WARM UP TO PLAY YOUR BEST GOLF
A round of golf doesn’t start on the first tee. By the time you get to hit your first shot, you should already be in your best competitive mindset and ready to play: David MacKenzie gives suggestions for a mental game warm-up that can be done in less than 20 minutes and is well worth the time spent.
Advertisement
BREATHE AND RELAX
It’s normal to feel nervous before a round, which is why it’s important to include exercises which prevent those nerves becoming anxiety and tension. Spend a few minutes doing deep belly breathing exercises which relax the body and mind and make you aware of any tension.
BE GRATEFUL
You can’t feel grateful and anxious at the same time. Let’s put golf in perspective. Think of three things that you are grateful for about the upcoming round, that don’t have anything to do with your final score – this could be playing a good golf course, hitting some good shots, being outside in beautiful surroundings, being healthy enough to play, the people you are going to play with or the opportunity to learn more about your game.
By choosing to be grateful, you take some of the pressure away from having to play well to make it a success or enjoyable.
VISUALISE
Visualisation can change the way you feel and help improve performance. Jack Nicklaus said that he attributes at least 50% of his success to having seen it in his mind before it actually happened.
When you mentally rehearse an upcoming round, you’re priming your subconscious mind to believe that it has already happened and that there is nothing to fear. When you are there for real, you will have more confidence and you are more likely to live into the experience you visualised.
Close your eyes and spend five minutes visualising some of your best moments on the course and how you want to play today (include some key shots).
DEFINE THE PLAYER YOU WANT TO BE
What is your ‘Player Identity’? The students I work with create a ‘Player Identity Statement’ and read it out loud before each round. What are the values you want to uphold and the characteristics of the player you want to be? This has nothing to do with how you will play. E.g. “I am a competitive golfer. I stay calm and focused for every shot and I am a person who is enjoyable to play with. I never give up and accept the outcome of every shot.”
Activating this side of yourself could be done with an action such as putting on your golf shoes or cap, playing a certain type of music, or watching videos of players who exhibit these qualities. From that time on, being your Player Identity will be your primary focus.
HAVE A CLEAR STRATEGY
By planning the clubs and shots you will hit before you get to the course will take a lot of the decision making (and possible stress) away from each shot. Working your way back from the greens to the tee boxes, plan which clubs you intend to hit for your tee shots and approaches.
Taking the time to go through your mental game warm up before you play can get you feeling more confident, lower anxiety and get you prepared for the challenges ahead.
David MacKenzie is a mental coach and resides in Washington DC, but is originally from Godalming, Surrey.
You can find out more about him and his coaching at
www.golfstateofmind.com
27 holes of glorious heathland golf, set in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
In any 19th hole discussion attempting to determine the accolade of a supreme inland course in Ireland, it is perfectly understandable that there will be a case for the claims of Malone Golf Club. Not much argument is really required for, truth to tell, the gently rolling summertime tapestry of mature wood, restful lake and blaze of flowers sets it quite apart.
MALONE GOLF CLUB
Stunning parkland golf course located just 5 miles from Belfast city centre
• Considered by many to be the best ‘old style’ parkland course in
Northern Ireland • 27 hole facility with newly installed warm up range • Host venue of the Vagliano
Trophies in 2015 and many other championships over the years • Mature 330 acre estate, with a magnificent 180 year old main clubhouse building
